At least 11 people were killed and several others injured after a rice-laden truck ran into devotees near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, late on Saturday night. The accident took place at around 1:30 am as people were walking towards the temple during the Navratri festivities.
According to the information provided by local authorities, the truck lost control while descending a sloping road. It reportedly broke through police barricades and hit devotees walking along the route before crashing into the temple’s outer wall and gate.
There is a difference in the official casualty figures. Gwalior District Magistrate Ruchika Chauhan put the death toll at 11, with around 29 people injured. However, Senior Superintendent of Police Dharmveer Singh said 12 people had died and 39 had been taken to hospital. Five to six injured people were reported to be in critical condition. Two police personnel were also injured in the incident.
Authorities are investigating how the heavy vehicle entered a road where such vehicles were reportedly prohibited. A team from the Regional Transport Office is examining the truck as part of the probe.
The focus is now on confirming the final death toll, identifying the victims and determining how the vehicle crossed the checkpoint. Further updates are awaited from the administration and police.
